A/N: Thank you again for the support. Both PMs and Reviews. It is much appreciated! Now, the last chapter of this story.
The Orient Express
CHAPTER VII
On his way back to the compartment, Jack almost crashed into a servant. He was way in his thoughts. Angelica was a mother. Who was the father? He could not stop the sensation of envy go through his body. The thought of her being intimate with another man...
Jack grabbed a shot of rum on his way and in anger he broke it.
Had she loved someone else? Of course she had. Thereof the result of a daughter.
But where was the father now?
Had they never married? Was that why she wanted to stay married to him? To keep her reputation? That woman was mad! He would never allow that! She had gone to another man but remained married to him?
He entered the compartment. Rachel was already laying in bed asleep. He walked promptly over to the window and looked out. Most of all, he was hurt. Mad at himself for letting her go. Mad at her for finding someone else. The thought of her in love with someone else... Ugh, he wanted to hit someone in the face. And she had loved somebody enough to have his child?! Jack did not realize he was squeezing again. The windowsill was almost breaking by his hard grip.
He let go and let out a groan. Why?
Before he thought further, he put his hat on his head and snatched the divorce papers. She was not going to talk her out of this - this time. She would sink like a ship.
He stormed back through the train and almost knocked over the very same servant.
He knocked on the door briskly.
Angelica opened it carefully and poked her head in the opening. By Jack's red face, she could tell there would be another fight. She looked over her shoulder.
"I'll be back."
She stepped outside and slowly closed the door behind her. So carefully one could wonder if it was breakable.
He held out his papers. "For the very last time - sign them."
Firstly she glanced down to them before pleadingly looking up to Jack.
"I have had enough of this. You need to sign these, now. Or I would have police taking both you and your daughter for fraud."
Angelica's pleading expression grew greater. "Please Jack, I am begging you."
She looked deeply into his eyes. For a moment, he got lost. But then he remembered her manipulability. "I be not buying it this time."
She sighed and nodded towards the door in front of them. "Let's go inside to sign them.
Jack eyed her skeptically as he backed inside the room. She gestured to the table. "Lay out the papers."
As Jack was doing so, she backed a few steps. He glanced over his shoulder but predicted too late what she was about to do. She threw the door close and locked it, hearing the banging from Jack coming from it. "ANGELICA!"
Quickly she rushed back into the compartment.
"Arie!" she ran to her and pulled her up from the couch. "We are leaving."
Arie rubbed her eyes. "It is in the middle of the night and we are in the middle of nowhere," she looked out the window to the moving scenery. "The train is running and I am already late for bed."
"We need to go - now!" Angelica pulled her out of the compartment with the tight hold around her daughter's wrist.
"But what about our stuff?"
Angelica looked over her shoulder to the compartment they just left. The door was hanging open. "We'll buy new."
Arie had to run to keep up with her mother's jogging. "What is going on?"
"Emory is after us."
"Emory? But he is courting you," Arie persisted.
The roar from behind caused Angelica to quicken her steps. "ANGELICA!" Jack was out. He caught her disappearing and grabbed a bottle of rum on his way.
She opened doors after doors. Just ran and ran with Arie in her hand. Until they reached a door made of a darker mahogany. When she stepped inside, there was a person closing the door.
Lucifer.
She stopped tracks. Mr Lucifer, the fat and elder man, was sitting in a velvet armchair. A fireplace was lit beside it. Emory was sitting in the armchair beside him. She turned around to leave but the two men guarding the door gave her a gesture it would be useless.
"Mrs Angelica Teague," Lucifer spoke accurately.
Emory twitched by hearing that. He looked astonished at Angelica. Could she really be?
Suddenly Jack tripped inside the room with the papers flying from his hands. He regained balance and stood straight. Quite shocked by the sight of Lucifer. "Lucifer."
"Mr Jack Sparrow."
Jack cleared his throat. "Actually Mr Jack Teague. Or Sir."
Arie gasped and Angelica knew from that moment she was dead. She could only witness how Arie placed herself in front of Jack to examine him. He watched the younger Angelica with raised eyebrows. As did the other men, none understanding what in the world the weirdo was doing.
"He was an honorable man," she began. Jack shook-nodded his head. Could he agree on that? "As the same time he was not. He was a very special man, a respected one as well."
Angelica swallowed. "Arie, don't."
"The most handsome man," she went on. Jack looked nervously around. "According to my mother," she added. "Well-built, rather long hair, brown eyes and charming smile. He used to stand there with a bottle of rum in his right hand," all eyes went to Jack's right hand where a bottle of rum hung. "High boots in dark brown leather reaching to the knees," Arie looked down to check out his boots. Then she looked up again to his head. "A leather hat in the shape of a triangle on his head. A mustache and well cut beard with a golden teeth to the right."
Jack's nervous smile revealed the golden teeth. Angelica breathed soundly. She had never imagined Arie remembering her story's words so well.
"And a coat of dark leather with a tattoo on his wrist," Arie was bold and grabbed a strong grip of his wrist. She pulled up the sleeve to examine the tattoo.
"I am only here for one purpose. Quit this odd examining of yours," Jack tried to convince her. He looked up. "Anybody, rum?"
"He was the best convincing person you could imagine, making him an excellent seller. He always got his will through, and no matter what situation or mischief he managed getting himself into - he had something in him that always caused him to get out."
Jack laughed nervously as he looked down to the young woman.
She gasped again as she examined him. She turned to her mother, only to see the watery eyes. She inhaled as if she had never breathed before. Then she took off through the door. The men had not been able to react before she was already gone.
Jack frowned. He did not understand a thing. But when had he ever when it came to women? No matter their sizes.
Angelica made a move to take off after her, but the men blocked the door.
Lucifer chuckled. "You can tell she got Jack's eyes," he told Emory. Emory was still frowning. He still had not managed to put the situation together.
At first Jack had relaxed the girl had run off. Even if there was a part in him telling him he should go after such a young woman. There was danger everywhere and specially for such young and naïve girls. Suddenly he froze and his breath hitched. 'You can tell she got Jack's eyes.'
Jack's eyes widened. No...?! He turned to Angelica. "What?!" he inquired.
Lucifer gestured for one of his men to pick up the papers Jack had dropped. He was handed them and browsed them.
"Divorce papers," he said. "Ah, you are married."
Without looking up to face how Jack gave Angelica a disbelieving look, he went on. "See, your wife owes me a lot of money. Although, seeing that she is your wife, you can see her loan as a wedding gift from me to the two of you. Since I had no clue about your wedding, I have not yet given you a wedding gift."
Angelica's mouth was agape. She did not know what was happening. Arie knew Jack was her father. Jack knew he WAS a father. He knew SHE was his daughter. Lucifer knew THEY were married, thereby now soon EVERYBODY would know. Emory knew HER identity. But she was not in trouble for THAT anymore. She was on her way to Vienna, and her life was upside down.
Jack gave him a nod. "I will see you in London in two months at the King's ceremony," Jack said. Lucifer gave him a warm smile back. He stood up and walked over to Jack to hand him the papers back.
"Yes, Mr Jack Teague."
Jack left the wagon and Angelica followed.
"You withheld my child from me," Jack accused.
She ignored his eyes and snatched the papers. He reached after them but she turned to put them against the wall. It was easier to sign them that way.
Jack stood numb and watched what she did. She turned back around and literally threw them onto him before taking off down the hallway in search for her daughter. He looked down at the papers in his hands, where now Angelica's signature was written gracefully across the bottom line. It felt like a punch in his face seeing that signature there over that line.
He stared at it for a long moment before he tucked the papers inside his coat and began the walk down the hallway. He walked straight to the back of the train. He knew. If she was his daughter, she would be there.
It took quite some time, and he knocked over the very same servant all over again when he passed the restaurant. He threw Jack an angry glare and brushed the crumbs off his white shirt.
Jack opened the last door carefully. It was like an open porch outside at the back of the train. And there she stood by the fence, gazing over the scenery.
She was frowning and deeply upset. Not that he could blame her. But she had to understand.
"Your mother is a wonderful woman," he spoke the truth.
Arie snorted.
He examined her carefully. That was his daughter. Had he created that? The most beautiful jewel, had he made?
"I know she wants what is best for you," he went on.
She turned around to face him. If glares could kill, Jack would be long dead. "And what about you? How could you not know I existed?! And how can you marry her, keep yourself out of her life and now of all sudden return to divorce her?!"
"How did-?"
"I heard through the door when I left."
Jack swallowed. "Because..," he trailed off. "I wanted to gain more power, darlin'."
Arie's eyes squinted further upon hearing him nicknaming her. He had not precisely been there for her and had not either precisely the right to sweet talk her.
"Your mother did not want you to know about me, for the cause of you getting hurt. She had believed I would not be there if anybody else knew. Ye see, there is a risk. Either way, I could take ye from her... or - she would have to live with the pain of knowing I never would return to her and you for such a cause."
Arie's arms crossed. "How do you know this? Have you spoken to her?"
Jack shook his head and smiled wryly. "I just know her too well."
Arie took a deep breath. "If that is so. What about the possibility that you could in fact return and live with us? That could have happened, right?"
Jack leaned to the wall comfortably. "It could have, but what if it had not? Even if I now would have stayed I might would have not back then."
Arie nodded slowly, eventually understanding. A little smile fought it way to her face. "So, what you are saying is that you are an idiotic fool for letting my mother go?"
"Well ye... no!" Jack gave her a warning glare. "Don't push it, sweetheart."
Arie gave him a knowing look. "That kiss you gave her tells otherwise."
Jack grunted and stood straight. "I think this conversation is over young lady," he opened the door and gestured for departure. "Come on, Arie. Let's find your mother."
Arie stopped tracks in the doorway. She looked over her shoulder. For a brief moment she caught his eyes before they fell to the ground.
She spoke softly. "It's Aurora."
It was in the hallway that Angelica found the two approaching her, walking side by side. Truthfully a sight she never believed she would ever see. Had they spoken?
Apparently. Arie did not seem as upset as she had when she left the wagon. She even hurried her last steps to throw herself into Angelica's embrace. Angelica hugged her tightly and rocked her back and forth with her face buried in Arie's hair.
When she looked at Jack, he gestured to her that he had to go. Of course he had to go. He had a fiancée. There was this wave of disappointment washing through her upon that thought.
Angelica just hugged Arie even closer, if that was possible, and watched Jack leave the hallway.
The train stopped, and she realized they had arrived. Slowly she let go of Arie and backed a step. She held her hand on her lower back to guide her towards their compartment.
"Vienna, now we are here," she said.
Arie smiled. "What a trip."
Angelica chuckled. "What a trip," she repeated.
"So, where are we off to now?" Arie wondered.
Angelica shrugged. "Somewhere I don't know."
They packed their suitcases and waved for a servant when they were ready to get off the train. He carried the suitcases to the carriage that awaited outside.
"Mrs Teague and Ms Teague?" the driver wondered.
The servant began loading the suitcases inside and fell down the little staircase to the carriage.
"Ms Teach and Ms Teague," she corrected, as she was not married anymore.
"My apologies Miss. The house you bought in advance is located a bit further out of the town in a village among embassy houses."
Angelica smiled and nodded. "Well then, we shall go there then."
Arie was helped inside the carriage first, and Angelica followed her.
They spent the ride in silence. Arie was tired from the eventful night and Angelica was just... tired of everything that had come along the trip. She looked at Arie to see her already sleeping. Her little angel.
Then she looked out the window and watched the sunrise. Mountains were everywhere. It looked like a beautiful painting hanging inside a noble's house. The grass was so green, and on top of the high mountains, either way there was snow, or they were over the clouds.
She too, had almost fallen asleep when the carriage stopped. She saw the grand white house in front of her. It had looked exactly like the paintings that she had received by mail.
Perfectly cut grass and hedges, a wonderful view towards Vienna and sceneries. She would love this place.
"Mother..," Arie gasped. "It's wonderful."
They were helped down from the carriage to feel the morning air of Austria.
The driver carried the suitcases to the front door. Arie hurried to the door and opened it. She disappeared inside.
Angelica gave the driver a smile. "Thank you, Mister."
He bowed. "No, thank you, Ms Teach."
Angelica followed her daughter's steps up to the house and stepped inside. The entrance room was big, high to ceiling and a mahogany stair led upstairs. There was a red carpet on it that was placed in the middle of it.
She could hear Arie's voice and how she walked around to check out the house.
"Mother, this room is even more stunning," she could hear her through the walls. "And this one, what a splendid kitchen."
Angelica slowly followed the voice into the kitchen. Not that she ever spent time in that particular room. She had always had maids and staff in general to do such things. Arie left the kitchen with her exploring eyes.
Angelica was also about to leave when she glanced at the papers laying on the counter. She frowned and walked over to the them.
They appeared to be torn apart. She grabbed a hold of one and lifted it. "Petition..," she read. She lifted another on. "Of Divorce."
She glanced down the paper to only see a tiny part of her own signature. As the other part of her signature was on the other torn paper.
"Wouldn't make the same mistake of letting my two favorites go twice."
Angelica froze and waited for him to round the counter and stand in front of her. He slid a box over it.
She stared at him in silence and opened it. A diamond ring.
"This time though, I would like ye to wear that one to scare off imbeciles trying to steal ye."
"And, in the living room Mother, we have..," Arie entered the room but silenced upon the sight of Jack. She smiled and ran over to hug him. "You came back to us!"
"Of course. I love you," he let out and moved from looking into Arie's eyes to Angelica's. "The both of you."
Arie let go of the embrace. "Well, Mother... Father. I am going to find myself a bedroom," she announced and left them to run upstairs.
Angelica was still quiet as Jack approached her. She stood frozen as he rounded the counter. He lifted the ring and grabbed her hand carefully. He slid it on whilst keeping her eyes locked on his.
"But what about-?"
"That's why I had to go," Jack cut her off.
She swallowed and nodded. Almost teary. But the words of hearing him loving her and her daughter still echoed in her ears.
"Perhaps we should find ourselves a bedroom as well, Mrs Teague," he said.
Mrs Teague. Hearing him say that made her feel hot. Suddenly she gave him a playful eye and turned her back towards the counter to face Jack. She moved her hands sensually along the counter on her sides.
"Who has ever said we need a bedroom, Mr Teague?"
THE END
A/N: Soooo... what did you think of this story? :) It was a little shorter novella.